Airbus

Airbus A321XLR

32X A21N In Production

Designed for extra-long range, the A321XLR brings a narrow-body within reach of markets once flown by the Boeing 757, first taking off in 2022. CFM LEAP-1A engines give it about 8,700 km of range, enough for transatlantic hops, while it seats 180 typically and up to 244. The jet runs 44.51 metres long on a 35.80-metre wing, cruising near 828 km/h and grossing up to 101,000 kg. Pairing single-aisle economics with intercontinental reach, it opens fresh point-to-point city pairs. The jet stands 11.76 metres tall and carries roughly 33 cubic metres of cargo in the belly. Carriers know it by ICAO code A21N.

Dimensions

Length: 44,51 m
Wingspan: 35,80 m
Height: 11,76 m
Cabin Width: 3,70 m

Performance

Range: 8.700 km
Cruise Speed: 828 km/h
Max Speed: 871 km/h
Service Ceiling: 12.000 m
Category: long-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 180
Max Seats: 244
Cargo Volume: 33,00 m³
Size: narrow-body

Engines

Count: 2
Type: Turbofan
Model: CFM LEAP-1A

Family Variants

Airbus A321neo Airbus A321-200

Engine Profiles

Pratt & Whitney PW1100G GTF CFM International LEAP-1A

About Airbus A321XLR

A versão Xtra Long Range preenche a lacuna deixada pelo Boeing 757. Com alcance de 8.700 km, o A321XLR pode operar rotas transatlânticas em um narrow-body, abrindo novos mercados ponto a ponto.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Airbus A321XLR typically seats 180 passengers in a two-class configuration, identical to the standard A321neo. In a high-density layout, it can carry up to 244 passengers. The XLR maintains the same 3.70 m cabin width and 3-3 seating arrangement. The key difference is not capacity but range capability.

The Airbus A321XLR has a maximum range of approximately 8,700 km (4,700 nautical miles), making it the longest-ranged single-aisle commercial aircraft ever produced. This is achieved through a rear center tank (RCT) that adds approximately 12,900 liters of additional fuel capacity. The range enables nonstop routes such as Boston to London, Seoul to Mumbai, or Singapore to Melbourne.

The A321XLR is widely considered the true successor to the Boeing 757-200, which was retired from production in 2004. The A321XLR matches the 757's range capability of approximately 7,200 km while carrying a similar number of passengers. The A321XLR offers significantly better fuel efficiency — approximately 30% lower fuel burn per seat. The 757 had a wider fuselage (3.76 m vs 3.70 m), but the A321XLR's modern cabin amenities and economics make it the clear replacement for aging 757 transatlantic operations.

The A321XLR is externally almost identical to the A321neo and A321LR, sharing the same fuselage length, engines, and sharklet wingtips. The primary external difference is a slightly modified belly fairing to accommodate the rear center tank. In practice, identifying an A321XLR requires checking the airline's fleet information, as visual spotting alone cannot reliably distinguish it from an A321LR.

The A321XLR is disrupting long-haul aviation by enabling airlines to operate transatlantic and medium-long-haul routes with a fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft. This makes routes profitable that previously required wide-body aircraft flying half-empty. Iberia received the first A321XLR in November 2024. Airlines like Aer Lingus, United Airlines, and JetBlue have placed significant orders, planning to open new point-to-point routes that bypass traditional hub-and-spoke networks.